0135. Antioch Was a Church Born Without Any Ecclesiastics

Antioch Was a Church Born Without Any Ecclesiastics

"And they were all scattered abroad * * except the Apostles" (Act_8:1).

1. The Church at Antioch was the outgrowth of the ministry of the saints, apart from the Apostles. The common people had been driven away by the persecution, and they had gone as far as Antioch proclaiming Christ. The Apostles themselves had stayed at headquarters, refusing to be driven from their moorings.

There are many lessons here:

1. The Church of God needs the clergy, but is not dependent upon it. Too many people imagine that there are certain things which can only be done by a regularly ordained preacher. Such people would not think that they were married or buried unless the preacher officiated. Some people would not think that they were dismissed from a regular Sunday preaching service except an ordained minister pronounced the benediction. Some people would feel it was almost sacrilege, if any one, except the preacher, baptized or officiated at the Lord’s Table.

We would not, for a moment, suggest that it is not the correct thing for a pastor or minister to do any of these things; what we do assert is that it is not a departure from the faith for these things to be done by others, than ministers.

When we go to the Scriptures we read that God hath given Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers, "for the perfecting of the saints", unto "the work of the ministry". Another version reads: "For the perfecting of saints, unto the doing of service."

2. The great need of the Church lies in the pew. We need men and women filled with the Holy Ghost, who will go everywhere preaching the Word. Not taking a text and expounding it, necessarily; but taking Christ and magnifying Him.

Oh, that we might get back to early Church methods, where every one felt called to go and tell the story.

Church-members are leaving too much of the Lord’s work to their pastors. They forget that the work can only prosper as the whole membership is stirred to activity.

When the people, as a whole, are on the outlook for souls; when they go into the homes of the unsaved and tell them of Christ; when they visit the sick and the broken-hearted, and the poor and neglected; when they go everywhere preaching Christ, then, and not till then, will the work that needs to be done, be accomplished.

3. It was a long time, at Antioch, before any of recognized "clergy" arrived. Why then are churches today, so dependent upon pastors?

Illustration: We once saw in a cartoon, a good-sized church building being carried on the shoulder of the pastor of the church. The membership was pictured as standing along the roadside, clapping their hands, and cheering on their preacher. Why did not the members get their shoulder under the building? It is not right for believers to think that they hire a preacher to do their praying, and all their work; everything spiritual, that needs to be done. Believers need to remember that they should go everywhere, preaching the Word.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR